BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCystoscopyCystourethroscopy; Endoscopy of the bladderCystoscopy is a surgical procedure. This is done to see the inside of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted tube. How the Test is Performed Cystoscopy is done with a cystoscope. This is a special tube with a small camera on the end (endoscope). There are two types of cystoscopes:Standard, rigid cystoscope Flexible cystoscopeThe tube can be inserted in different ways. However, the test is the same. The type of cystoscope your health care provider will use depends on the purpose of the exam.The procedure will take about 5 to 20 minutes. The urethra is cleansed. A numbing medicine is applied to the skin lining the inside of the urethra. This is done without needles. The scope is then inserted through the urethra into the bladder.Water or salt water (saline) flows through the tube to fill the bladder. As this occurs, you may be asked to describe the feeling. Your answer will give some information about your condition.As fluid fills the bladder, it stretches the bladder wall. This lets your provider see the entire bladder wall. You will feel the need to urinate when the bladder is full. However, the bladder must stay full until the exam is finished.If any tissue looks abnormal, a small sample can be taken (biopsy) through the tube. This sample will be sent to a lab to be tested.BiopsyA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test Ask your provider if you should stop taking any medicines that could thin your blood.The procedure may be done under anesthesia in a hospital or surgery center. In that case, you will need to have someone take you home afterward. How the Test will Feel You may feel slight discomfort when the tube is passed through the urethra into the bladder. You will feel an uncomfortable, strong need to urinate when your bladder is full.You may feel a quick pinch if a biopsy is taken. After the tube is removed, the urethra may be sore. You may have blood in the urine and a burning sensation during urination for a day or two. Why the Test is Performed The test is done to:Check for cancer of the bladder or urethra CancerCancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Diagnose the cause of blood in the urine Diagnose the cause of problems passing urine Diagnose the cause of repeated bladder infections Help determine the cause of pain during urinationPain during urinationPainful urination is any pain, discomfort, or burning sensation when passing urine.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results The bladder wall should look smooth. The bladder should be of normal size, shape, and position. There should be no blockages, growths, or stones. What Abnormal Results Mean The abnormal results could indicate:Bladder cancer Bladder cancerBladder cancer is a cancer that starts in the bladder. The bladder is the body part that holds and releases urine. It is in the center of the lower...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bladder stones (calculi) Bladder stonesBladder stones are hard buildups of minerals. These form in the urinary bladder.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bladder wall decompression Chronic urethritis or cystitis UrethritisUrethritis is inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Scarring of the urethra (called a stricture) Congenital (present at birth) abnormality Cysts CystsA cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue. It can be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Diverticula of the bladder or urethra DiverticulaDiverticula are small, bulging sacs or pouches that form on the inner wall of the intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflame...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Foreign material in the bladder or urethra Some other possible diagnoses may be:Irritable bladder Irritable bladderUrge incontinence occurs when you have a strong, sudden need to urinate that is difficult to delay. The bladder then squeezes, or spasms, and you ma...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Polyps Prostate problems, such as bleeding, enlargement, or blockage EnlargementThe prostate is a gland that produces some of the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Traumatic injury of the bladder and urethra Traumatic injury of the bladder and ure...Traumatic injury of the bladder and urethra involves damage caused by an outside force.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ulcer UlcerAn ulcer is a crater-like sore on the skin or mucous membrane. Ulcers form when the top layers of skin or tissue have been removed. They can occur ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urethral stricturesUrethral stricturesUrethral stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks There is a slight risk for excess bleeding when a biopsy is taken.Other risks include:Bladder infection Bladder infectionA urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract, including...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rupture of the bladder wall Considerations Drink 4 to 6 glasses of water per day after the procedure.You may notice a small amount of blood in your urine after this procedure. If the bleeding continues after you urinate 3 times, contact your provider.Contact your provider if you develop any of these signs of infection:Chills Fever Pain Reduced urine output Open ReferencesReferencesDuty BD, Conlin MJ. Principles of urologic endoscopy. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 13.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Cystoscopy & ureteroscopy. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/cystoscopy-ureteroscopy. Updated July 2021. Accessed August 23, 2022.Taylor JM, Smith TG, Coburn M. Urologic surgery. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 74.AllVideoImagesTogCystoscopy - illustration Cystoscopy is a procedure that uses a flexible fiber optic scope inserted through the urethra into the urinary bladder. The physician fills the bladder with water and inspects the interior of the bladder. The image seen through the cystoscope may also be viewed on a color monitor and recorded on videotape for later evaluation.CystoscopyillustrationBladder biopsy - illustration A bladder biopsy is performed if abnormalities of the bladder are found, or if a tumor is grossly visible. During the biopsy a small portion of tissue is removed and sent to the laboratory for analysis.Bladder biopsyillustrationCystoscopy - illustration Cystoscopy is a procedure that uses a flexible fiber optic scope inserted through the urethra into the urinary bladder. The physician fills the bladder with water and inspects the interior of the bladder. The image seen through the cystoscope may also be viewed on a color monitor and recorded on videotape for later evaluation.CystoscopyillustrationBladder biopsy - illustration A bladder biopsy is performed if abnormalities of the bladder are found, or if a tumor is grossly visible. During the biopsy a small portion of tissue is removed and sent to the laboratory for analysis.Bladder biopsyillustration Tests for Cystoscopy CystoscopyRelated Information Cancer(Condition)Urination - painful(Symptoms)Enlarged prostate(Condition)Cyst(Symptoms)Urethral stricture(Condition)Bladder stones(Condition)Diverticulitis(Condition)Erosion(Symptoms)Urge incontinence(Condition)Traumatic injury of the bladder and urethra(Condition)Benign prostatic hyperplasia - InDepth(In-Depth)Urinary incontinence - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 4/10/2022 Reviewed By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
CystoscopyCystourethroscopy; Endoscopy of the bladderCystoscopy is a surgical procedure. This is done to see the inside of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted tube. How the Test is Performed Cystoscopy is done with a cystoscope. This is a special tube with a small camera on the end (endoscope). There are two types of cystoscopes:Standard, rigid cystoscope Flexible cystoscopeThe tube can be inserted in different ways. However, the test is the same. The type of cystoscope your health care provider will use depends on the purpose of the exam.The procedure will take about 5 to 20 minutes. The urethra is cleansed. A numbing medicine is applied to the skin lining the inside of the urethra. This is done without needles. The scope is then inserted through the urethra into the bladder.Water or salt water (saline) flows through the tube to fill the bladder. As this occurs, you may be asked to describe the feeling. Your answer will give some information about your condition.As fluid fills the bladder, it stretches the bladder wall. This lets your provider see the entire bladder wall. You will feel the need to urinate when the bladder is full. However, the bladder must stay full until the exam is finished.If any tissue looks abnormal, a small sample can be taken (biopsy) through the tube. This sample will be sent to a lab to be tested.BiopsyA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test Ask your provider if you should stop taking any medicines that could thin your blood.The procedure may be done under anesthesia in a hospital or surgery center. In that case, you will need to have someone take you home afterward. How the Test will Feel You may feel slight discomfort when the tube is passed through the urethra into the bladder. You will feel an uncomfortable, strong need to urinate when your bladder is full.You may feel a quick pinch if a biopsy is taken. After the tube is removed, the urethra may be sore. You may have blood in the urine and a burning sensation during urination for a day or two. Why the Test is Performed The test is done to:Check for cancer of the bladder or urethra CancerCancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Diagnose the cause of blood in the urine Diagnose the cause of problems passing urine Diagnose the cause of repeated bladder infections Help determine the cause of pain during urinationPain during urinationPainful urination is any pain, discomfort, or burning sensation when passing urine.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results The bladder wall should look smooth. The bladder should be of normal size, shape, and position. There should be no blockages, growths, or stones. What Abnormal Results Mean The abnormal results could indicate:Bladder cancer Bladder cancerBladder cancer is a cancer that starts in the bladder. The bladder is the body part that holds and releases urine. It is in the center of the lower...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bladder stones (calculi) Bladder stonesBladder stones are hard buildups of minerals. These form in the urinary bladder.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bladder wall decompression Chronic urethritis or cystitis UrethritisUrethritis is inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Scarring of the urethra (called a stricture) Congenital (present at birth) abnormality Cysts CystsA cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue. It can be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Diverticula of the bladder or urethra DiverticulaDiverticula are small, bulging sacs or pouches that form on the inner wall of the intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflame...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Foreign material in the bladder or urethra Some other possible diagnoses may be:Irritable bladder Irritable bladderUrge incontinence occurs when you have a strong, sudden need to urinate that is difficult to delay. The bladder then squeezes, or spasms, and you ma...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Polyps Prostate problems, such as bleeding, enlargement, or blockage EnlargementThe prostate is a gland that produces some of the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Traumatic injury of the bladder and urethra Traumatic injury of the bladder and ure...Traumatic injury of the bladder and urethra involves damage caused by an outside force.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ulcer UlcerAn ulcer is a crater-like sore on the skin or mucous membrane. Ulcers form when the top layers of skin or tissue have been removed. They can occur ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urethral stricturesUrethral stricturesUrethral stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risks There is a slight risk for excess bleeding when a biopsy is taken.Other risks include:Bladder infection Bladder infectionA urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract, including...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rupture of the bladder wall Considerations Drink 4 to 6 glasses of water per day after the procedure.You may notice a small amount of blood in your urine after this procedure. If the bleeding continues after you urinate 3 times, contact your provider.Contact your provider if you develop any of these signs of infection:Chills Fever Pain Reduced urine output Open ReferencesReferencesDuty BD, Conlin MJ. Principles of urologic endoscopy. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 13.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Cystoscopy & ureteroscopy. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/cystoscopy-ureteroscopy. Updated July 2021. Accessed August 23, 2022.Taylor JM, Smith TG, Coburn M. Urologic surgery. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 74.